#37 From Material Success to True Connection: Judd Shaw’s Journey Through Addiction and Renewal

Welcome back to Curveball. In this powerful episode, Scott Reich sits down with keynote speaker, lawyer, and author, Judd Shaw, whose life took a dramatic turn behind the glittering facade of professional success. Judd opens up about his battle with drug addiction, burnout, and the deep loneliness that almost destroyed him—all while he was running a thriving law firm and enjoying every outward sign of achievement.

With raw honesty, Judd shares his journey from hitting rock bottom—including an arrest when he nearly gave up—to rebuilding his life through vulnerability, connection, and self-acceptance. He talks about how childhood trauma and a relentless pursuit of external validation shaped his choices, and the difficult but inspiring work it took to chart a new path.

Drawing from his upcoming memoir, How to Live Authentically: The Surprising Cure for Loneliness and Disconnection, Judd explores the surprising cure for loneliness, the courage required to share our messy stories, and the liberating power of asking for help. This is an episode for anyone who’s ever struggled beneath the surface, or wondered how to move forward from the hardest moments life can throw.

What Listeners Will Learn:

1. Judd Shaw talks about building a life that "didn't allow for the real me."
2. Judd describes a cycle of achievement and addiction, feeling celebrated on the outside while unraveling internally.
3. Validation can be so powerful, even when it doesn’t align with our internal reality.
4. The episode discusses the concept of connection as essential for safety (as opposed to just the absence of threat).
5. Judd shares that family history and childhood trauma shaped his struggles.
6. The show highlights the importance of asking for help at rock bottom.
7. There is a theme of shame thriving in secrecy and the power of sharing your story.
8. Discussion of the idea: “clifftop”—reaching the pinnacle of external success but still feeling empty or disconnected.
9. Judd’s journey included recognizing and shedding the “mask” he wore.

Key Moments:

(00:00) Judd Shaw's Transformation Story

(04:31) Rewind the Clock Discussion

(09:23) Childhood Trauma and Belonging

(10:59) Chasing Highs and Self-Discovery

(16:59) Overcoming Trauma and Loneliness

(20:09) Unmasking Truth and Self-Awareness

(24:19) Embrace Growth and Acceptance

(25:22) Seeking Self Beyond External Validation

(31:13) Innocence, Choices, and Redemption